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PICPA Urges Consumers to Do Research before Choosing a Tax Preparer

PHILADELPHIA – Many consumers hire tax preparers to complete their tax returns. Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public Accountants (PICPA) urges the public to ask questions and be aware of pitfalls that may result from hastily choosing someone to do their tax returns.

PICPA offers the following advice to consumers:

• Check the credentials of anyone claiming to be a licensed Pennsylvania certified public accountant or public accountant. Visit the State Board of Accountancy at www.mylicense.state.pa.u
• Always get a receipt for services provided.
• Never sign a blank tax form.
• Ask for an estimate of the fee before the return is prepared. Avoid tax preparers who charge a percentage of the return as their fee.
• Be leery of those who promise a big return before they prepare your return.
• Make sure your preparer has a protocol to protect your personal information, including Social Security number.
• Avoid procrastination when choosing a preparer. There may be a good reason why a preparer is available so close to the deadline.
• Know the basic information that should be included on your tax return. By signing a return, you declare under penalty of perjury that the information is truthful. You will be responsible for any fraudulent or missing information.

PICPA members are qualified to assist consumers with their tax returns and to provide financial planning guidance to help meet personal and business goals throughout the year. To find a CPA in your area, visit www.IneedaCPA.org.

Founded in 1897, the Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public Accountants is a professional association of more than 19,000 CPAs who work in public accounting, industry, government, and education. PICPA is the second-oldest state CPA organization in the United States. To find a member CPA in your area, visit our Web site at www.picpa.org and click on CPA Locator. Students and educators can visit PICPA's specially designed site www.CPAzone.org to get the latest information about careers in accounting and the CPA profession.